The judgement of a court case involving Wayne Rooney and his former agents will not be handed down until the England star's involvement in the World Cup is over, the judge has decided.

Rooney is being sued by sports management firm Proactive after his agent, Paul Stretford, left the company in 2008 and kept Rooney and wife Coleen as clients. Proactive claim they are owed 20 per cent of the couple's earnings since the split.

The Manchester United striker has been sweating on the verdict as he could be asked to fork out up to £4.3million in compensation, potentially a major distraction heading into the tournament in South Africa.

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But the judge of the case has decided that, rather than jeopardise Rooney's performance in the tournament, and England's, he will suspend the judgement until Rooney is no longer involved in the World Cup.

Barring any last-minute mishaps Rooney will line up as part of Fabio Capello's England side in their first match against USA in Rustenburg tomorrow.

A statement from Manchester Mercantile Court read: 'After hearing representations from the parties, Judge Hegarty QC has decided not to circulate or hand down his judgement in this case so long as Mr Wayne Rooney remains actively involved in the World Cup 2010.'

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The statement was later confirmed by a similar announcement from the Judicial Office.

'After hearing representation from the parties, Judge Hegarty QC has decided not to circulate or hand down his judgment in this case so long as Mr Wayne Rooney remains actively involved in the World Cup 2010,' read a short statement.

A spokesman for Rooney this morning added: 'We have been assured that no judgement in this case will be handed down at least until Wayne's involvement in the World Cup in South Africa is complete.'